A man employed by an American defense contractor has received a seven-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to selling trade secrets to a buyer with connections to Russia. Peter Williams, a 39-year-old Australian citizen, admitted to trafficking eight pieces of cybersecurity software and confidential information to a Russian middleman, receiving approximately $4 million in cryptocurrency. Reports indicate that Williams utilized these illicit proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing luxury items including jewelry, watches, high-end vehicles, and real estate.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Williams’ actions not only constituted theft but also posed a significant threat to national security. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized that the cybersecurity tools sold by Williams had the potential to compromise millions of digital devices, thereby endangering not just his employer but also the interests of the United States and its allies.
Williams served as the general manager of Trenchant, a company owned by L3Harris Technologies, a defense contractor specializing in cybersecurity solutions designed to assist intelligence agencies. From April 2022 until his actions were detected in August 2025, he exploited his access to the contractor’s secure networks to steal sensitive cyber exploits that were intended solely for the U.S. government and select allies.
Despite being aware of an ongoing FBI investigation into his activities, Williams continued engaging in the sale of stolen components. Official records indicate that he directly profited about $1.3 million from these transactions, which were documented in contracts with the Russian broker. The FBI stated that his misconduct inflicted considerable financial damage, estimating that the government contractor faced losses totaling around $35 million.
In a statement, FBI Special Agent Jimmy Paul remarked on the significant harm caused to both Williams’ employer and national interests. The court’s sentence is intended as a cautionary measure against individuals whose greed could jeopardize national security.
Williams was sentenced to serve 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, he is required to pay $1.3 million in restitution and another $1.3 million in forfeitures. District Court Judge Loren AliKhan remarked on the far-reaching consequences of Williams’ actions, which adversely affected not only the U.S. government but also allied nations.
FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the Counterintelligence and Espionage Division highlighted the importance of this case as a warning to others who may consider prioritizing personal gain over national loyalty. The upscale lifestyle Williams financed through illegal means serves as stark evidence of the risks and consequences that can arise from such betrayals of trust and responsibility.
